Greenwich horse ban will not affect London Olympics

The uncovering of regulations banning horses from Greenwich Park will not scupper plans to host Olympic equestrian events there, claim organisers.

The unearthing of legislation — contained in the Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 — is the latest stumbling block to plans to host the Olympic equestrian events in the venue for London 2012.

According to the regulations, there are a number of “prohibited acts” that the Olympic equestrian events would contravene.

These include that “no person shall permit any animal of which he is in charge to foul any pathway or mown lawn… [nor] permit any animal of which he is in charge to be tethered or to graze.”

The regulations were revealed recently by Sir Frank Berman QC, who acts as legal counsel to the No To Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events (NOGOE) pressure group.

But the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) said plans met requirements and had been approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham.

A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesman confirmed it had been aware of the regulations when plans were signed off.

For this article in full, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (26 March, ’09)

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